Comcast is celebrating a decade of workplace mentoring through Beyond School Walls in Beaverton, a program of Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest! For the tenth straight year, “littles” from Walker Elementary School in Beaverton visit Comcast, where they enjoy twice monthly lunch-and-learn (and fun) sessions with dedicated Comcast employees as their mentors throughout the school year.
Earlier this month, twenty Little Brothers and Little Sisters jumped off their Beaverton School District bus eager to meet their new Comcast “bigs.” They started bonding immediately over carnival activities complete with fake lions and tigers and ring toss, bean bag throw, softball toss, and pumpkin decorating. Always on the agenda: having fun and being present!
“I am always delighted and truly touched at the lengths Comcast will go to support youth in their community,” said Beach Pace, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest. “I am grateful to Comcast and your deep commitment to youth.”
Steven Beeghly (photographed with his little above), Inbound Sales supervisor, re-enlisted as a Beyond School Walls mentor because he wants to continue helping kids in need. His previous “little” graduated to middle school. “Meeting my new Little Brother, Michael, was exciting! We had a lot to talk about and found that we had a lot of similarities — and some differences too.”
During their lunch sessions at Comcast sites, students will engage in activities with their mentors that will positively impact their academic, social engagement, and confidence—from communication ice breakers to career inquiries, digital literacy to discovering their talents, and more.
Julia Cohen, a counselor at Walker Elementary, says she noticed a difference on day one. “The kids we choose to be a part of the Big Brother Big Sister program are working to overcome something: some obstacle or hardship. One child in particular has trouble communicating and expressing himself. I was amazed to look over and see him talking away and smiling with his new Comcast mentor.” She added, “I also heard a student on the bus ride back to school say, “This is the best day of my life!””
